I flew a Cessna Skylane for 32 years and 2700 hours from Midland, TX. Most cross country flights were at 10,000-12,000 feet providing a better view than from 35,000'. I always had a window seat without a wing in the way. And if I wanted a closer look I could just descend at will. However, each to his own.

If the F35 is that abortion that can take off vertically from an aircraft carrier, my first reaction when seeing it perform was that it was a mistake. Too many compromises were made in its design for it to ever compete with F16s or any other airplane that did not try to be a helicopter as well as a fighter. It might best be described as a money disposal machine designed by Rube Goldberg.